Blog Feed: Random Recycling

Source: More Design PleaseI love this idea for Memorial Day. So did a lot of other people when I noticed my pin was repined almost 500 times in one day. > read more

Being Sentimental and Green

Published on 2012-05-21 12:17:00

One of my goals this year has been to cut down on the clutter in our home and try to limit the amount of new stuff we purchase. > read more

Monday Meal Plan May 21

Published on 2012-05-20 19:23:00

Is it really the last week of May? Where has the month gone? > read more

Ever feel like you are spending a lot of money on yogurt? Do you know how easy it is to make? I'm sharing my super simple recipe over at Nap time Is My Time today. If you are new to the blog, take a moment and go check it out. Let me know if you have any questions. > read more

A little Magic at the Drool Baby Expo

Published on 2012-05-17 08:18:00

On Tuesday night I attended the Drool Baby Expo organized by Magic Beans. > read more

Why Seaweed is Good for your Garden

Published on 2012-05-14 15:52:00

Did you know seaweed is good for your garden? > read more

Meal Plan Monday May 14

Published on 2012-05-13 21:22:00

Happy Mother's Day! > read more

Spiked Banana Bread from Joy the Baker

Published on 2012-05-10 09:19:00

Do you ever flip through cookbooks for relaxation? > read more

Eco-Friendly Mother's Day Ideas

Published on 2012-05-07 16:55:00

Tired of getting the same old thing for Mom or Grandma? > read more

Meal Plan Monday May 7

Published on 2012-05-06 21:09:00

Happy Monday! Did you celebrate Cinquo de Mayo or the Kentucky Derby this weekend? > read more

Consignment Sale Success

Published on 2012-05-05 22:08:00

Have you ever bought kids clothes from a consignment shop or special sale? > read more

Very Berry Yogurt Chicken & Giveaway!

Published on 2012-05-02 23:30:00

Have you ever taken a cooking class with your child? How about a three year old? Let me tell you it's a pretty funny experience and totally worthwhile. We recently went to a Chobani for Champions event where we learned how to incorporate yogurt into our recipes. I'm used to doing it for baking, but in a main dish I was at a loss.Introducing, Very Berry Yogurt Chicken! It's a sweet dish that is family friendly. I knew it would be a winner when it included two of the kids f [..] > read more

Create a Blogging Binder

Published on 2012-05-01 21:16:00

When you first start blogging, everything is neatly contained within the digital world of your computer, iPhone and your head. > read more

Trade Paper for Gold

Published on 2012-04-30 12:49:00

I love my coffee in the morning. > read more

Menu Plan Monday April 30

Published on 2012-04-29 19:26:00

Happy Monday!This week's dinner started on Sunday with Grilled Halibut Steaks. > read more

Winner of A Lot to Say Sheet Set!

Published on 2012-04-29 14:54:00

A Lot to Say makes message apparel made from plastic bottles. > read more

We finally got a rain barrel!

Published on 2012-04-25 19:32:00

Source > read more

Make the Switch to a Reusable Squeeze Pouch

Published on 2012-04-23 20:38:00

We are big fans of the applesauce squeeze pouches. > read more

Menu Plan Monday April 23

Published on 2012-04-22 19:24:00

The rain has arrived in New England and I'm not sure when we will see the sun again. > read more

A Lot To Say Does A Lot of Good (& Giveaway)

Published on 2012-04-20 19:29:00

Sometime you find a product that is super cute and you are totally happy with it. > read more

Simplify EVERYTHING with a major e-book Sale

Published on 2012-04-18 13:21:00

I am a new fan of e-books. > read more

Gardening Plans: Seedlings, Containers and Kids

Published on 2012-04-17 21:17:00

Could the weather be any better?! I love walking around the neighborhood and seeing how far along everyone is with their spring yard work and gardening plans. > read more

Menu Plan Monday April 16

Published on 2012-04-16 07:59:00

Lots of seafood on deck as the sales were too good to pass up. > read more

Freezer Organization Fun

Published on 2012-04-15 03:30:00

Good news when you want to organize your freezer. > read more

Gardening Plans: What to Plant & When

Published on 2012-04-14 09:48:00

Trying to figure out what to plant and when is determined but a number of factors. > read more

Early Season Gardening Plans

Published on 2012-04-12 08:57:00

Time to get planting! > read more

Chocolate Chip Cheesecake Cookies

Published on 2012-04-10 20:19:00

What's not to love about Chocolate and Cheesecake and Cookies? > read more

Apps Over More Toys: Dr Panda Teach Me Review

Published on 2012-04-10 08:45:00

Doing spring cleaning last month gave me an opportunity to take stock of our toy inventory. > read more

Carrot Pear Muffins

Published on 2012-04-09 07:16:00

Ever start one recipe and then it turns into something else? > read more

Menu Plan Monday April 9~ Freezer Cleanout

Published on 2012-04-08 20:11:00

After a lovely weekend filled with egg hunts, a competitive > read more

Natural Egg Dyeing with Kitchen Leftovers

Published on 2012-04-05 14:04:00

I am in love with holiday decorating. Easter included. > read more

Afternoon Lunch Treat: Foodler Review

Published on 2012-04-05 06:13:00

When was the last time you got takeout for lunch? > read more

Wallaby Greek Yogurt Winner!

Published on 2012-04-02 21:35:00

I have enjoyed reading all the comments on the Wallaby Greek Yogurt post. > read more

Monday Meal Plan April 2

Published on 2012-04-01 20:41:00

We are still enjoying my sister and niece visiting from Hawaii. > read more

Project Simplify~ Home Office Organized (& Giveaway)

Published on 2012-03-29 20:25:00

Do you have a room in your house that ends up being the dumping ground for papers, pictures and more? That is what has become of my home office. It shares space with the playroom in the basement and over the past few months, it has been collecting more than its fair share of random items. I am a big believer in finding a home for everything so this area was a big stress.The scary "before" shotNow it's time for week 4 of Project Simplify. It's pick-your-own hot spot this week an [..] > read more

Project Simplify week 4~ Home Office Hot Spot

Published on 2012-03-26 08:43:00

This is the final week of Project Simplify. > read more

Meal Plan Monday March 26

Published on 2012-03-25 20:19:00

The past week was an emotional roller coaster of highs and lows. > read more

Project Simplify Week 3: Closets (mostly) done

Published on 2012-03-23 19:53:00

Sometimes life gets in the way of blogging. > read more

Creating a Real Food Pantry

Published on 2012-03-21 12:30:00

After last week's pantry project, I had some time to think about how to maintain a healthy, real food pantry. > read more

Project Simplify week 3: Closets & Drawers Progress

Published on 2012-03-20 21:36:00

It's already week 3 of Project Simplify and it's time to tackle Closets, Drawers and Countertops. > read more

Wallaby Greek Yogurt Kids & Giveaway

Published on 2012-03-19 21:02:00

If you know me, you know I make a mean granola. > read more

Menu Plan Monday March 19

Published on 2012-03-18 19:52:00

I really could get used to 70 degree weather in March. > read more

Project Simplify~ Creating a Pantry

Published on 2012-03-15 19:30:00

There were a few problems happening with our "recycling" closet. > read more

Sausage, Cannellini Bean and Farfalle Soup

Published on 2012-03-15 09:28:00

This is one of our favorite weeknight soups. > read more

Project Simplify~ Creating a Pantry

Published on 2012-03-14 11:00:00

It's week 2 of Project Simplify and the focus is on kitchens and pantries. After reading many of the week one posts on Simple Mom, I'm excited to tackle the next challenge. > read more

Do you use Spring Cleaning Checklists?

Published on 2012-03-13 08:40:00

The warmer weather certainly helps get me in the mood for a little spring cleaning. I know many people find lists helpful when tackling the spring cleaning projects. There are plenty of checklist options out there and I wanted to share some of my favorites.Life Your Way~ offers free printables for all the rooms in your house, including storage areas.Organized Home~ loads of basic blank checklistsThe Nest Effect~ wonderful printables in her Etsy shop. Lots of happy, colorful printables.Martha [..] > read more

Monday Menu Plan March 12

Published on 2012-03-11 14:15:00

This week's plan revolved around when to have a traditional Irish, or St. Patrick's Day, dinner. I found an amazing recipe last year and everyone loved it so it's coming back again. Monday~ Slow Cooker Sausage and Spaghetti, quick zucchini on the side. This is a great dish to throw together before you head out for the day, smells delicious when you get home. We are using sweet Italian chicken sausage in this dish. Tuesday~ It's my birthday so I've requested tacos. I think I asked for the sam [..] > read more

Project Simplify: Kids' Stuff Done!

Published on 2012-03-09 19:31:00

Ok, so the photo on the left is from Project Simplify last year. I realized that I only really cleaned-up last year instead of decluttering and organizing. (and that my photo editing skills have improved.) We had the same issues this year when I took a hard look at what was happening with the toy zones.Kitchen food is always everywhereBooks are always getting pulled out and not easily put awayPuzzle storage continues to be a challengeSo I think we figured out #1 and #2 and #3, puzzle storage, [..] > read more

Project Simplify: Kids' Stuff Progress

Published on 2012-03-09 06:19:00

Here we go! Time to clear through some of the kids' stuff for Project Simplify. In my case, I'm tackling the toy area(s) in our house, plus the pile of artwork that I haven't the heart to recycle yet. The kids' clothes are in good shape as we have declutter system already working in that zone. My little helper is very good at taking everything out to help me start sorting. We spent some time putting like items together and weeding through everything, including a pile of baby toys. Our other [..] > read more

Homemade Bubble Mix

Published on 2012-03-07 18:59:00

Is there anything better than seeing a child's face light up when they see bubbles? When it's nice outside, blowing bubbles is one of my top favorite activities. It can be messy, but it's always worth it. Bubbles can get expensive when your kids end up knocking over those little bottles. This recipe for homemade bubble mix is easy and will last for awhile. It actually gets better with age, though you probably won't have it sitting around for too long once the weather gets really nice out!Ing [..] > read more

DIY Cleaning Recipes ~ Link-up!

Published on 2012-03-06 12:39:00

I've been pinning a lot of homemade cleaners as we get ready for spring cleaning. I thought this might be a fun opportunity for other like-minded friends to share their favorite homemade cleaner posts, recipes, Pins, etc. I'll be adding my favorites to my Pinterest board, DIY Green Cleaners.This is my favorite Pin that is on my to do list. We go through a lot of hand soap and I love the Mrs. Meyer's product line, just not the price. This looks like a great way to cut costs and stretch that l [..] > read more

Not Your Average Brownie

Published on 2012-03-05 13:22:00

Ever get bored with basic brownies? They may be delicious, but here's a clever twist to make them even better. Don't be scared of making brownies from scratch. Trust me when I say it's worth the couple of extra minutes it takes to make it without the box. Plus tt's an easy recipe to make with the kids, as noted below by my resident egg breaker.Mint Chocolate BrowniesIngredients8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter8 ounces semisweet chocolate (I used semi sweet mini's, regular morsels are fi [..] > read more

Menu Plan Monday March 5

Published on 2012-03-04 19:22:00

Welcome to March! I am excited for some warmer weather heading our way this week so it's back to the grill. In the meantime, there are lots of crock pot meals on deck.Sunday~ New beef stew recipe made in the Pressure Cooker. It was from the Boston Globe Magazine this weekend, Asian-style beef stew. I followed the star anise and ginger recipe, however I couldn't find star anise at my local grocery store. Even without the star anise, the stew had a wonderful flavor to it that was a nice depar [..] > read more

It's (almost) Project Simplify Time!

Published on 2012-03-02 20:49:00

It's that time again. Spring clean-out is around the corner. If you want a little motivation to get moving, I highly suggest checking out Project Simplify from Simple Mom. Over four weeks, you get a little kick in the pants to target an area that needs some TLC. I did this project last year and still remember the bags of clothes to donate coming out of my closet. It was refreshing. But I also had an infant so I was also just a wee bit sleep deprived. This time around I have all my favorit [..] > read more

Strawberry Fruit Roll-ups

Published on 2012-03-01 09:12:00

Strawberry Fruit roll-ups, or fruit leather, are probably the kids' favorite snack right now. Both get excited when they see them come out of the bag. The tricky part is the one year old is so slow eating his, big sister tries to take what he hasn't eaten yet!Strawberry Fruit LeatherIngredients1 lb Fresh Strawberries (I'm going to try it with frozen sound and I'll update this post)2 tablespoons honeyInstructionsWash strawberries and hull.Place strawberries and honey in a blender and puree.Pou [..] > read more

Dehydrating and Cinnamon Apple Rings

Published on 2012-02-28 20:05:00

Ever hear about using a dehydrator? I hadn't until about a year ago when I started reading blogs that talked about making dried apple slices in the fall and homemade fruit roll-ups. Before then, it never was on my kitchen wish list.Luckily, a little birdy (thanks Christy!) told my husband I might be interested in one for Christmas. Over the past two months we have devoured not only apple slices, but also bananas, pineapples and strawberries. I've dehydrated potatoes, but haven't found a great [..] > read more

A Little Love for the all important Snack

Published on 2012-02-27 19:48:00

Snacks are a lifeline with the little ones in tow. Cheerios, fruit, apple squeezies and so on. I don't walk out the door without a snack sack in the diaper bag. However, I was getting tired of offering the same old thing so I went searching for a little inspiration. One of my all time favorite recipes to make is Pumpkin Muffins from Kitchen Stewardship. I have made them probably 30 times in the past two years since I first found the recipe. I've also been reading Katie's blog since then and [..] > read more

Whole Wheat Chocolate Chip Cookies

Published on 2012-02-27 07:30:00

Making the switch to whole wheat is easy in some cases, like bread and pasta. Making the switch when baking is not always so simple. Whole wheat flour acts differently than the all-purpose white flour because it has a lower amount of gluten. This can cause baked goods to not rise properly. Often times, I do a mix of both flours so I make them a little healthier, but still get a light and fluffy result.This recipe I found for Whole Wheat Chocolate Chip Cookies uses 100% whole wheat flour and [..] > read more

Menu Plan Monday Feb 26

Published on 2012-02-26 11:02:00

It feels like spring is nearly around the corner! I can't believe it's the last week of February and the next meal plan will be for March. Time to start thinking about some cold weather crops...spinach and broccoli are on my list for this spring.Last week's plan got a little off track as we maneuvered through some off stomachs, etc. Plus we decided not to eat meat on Friday for Lent so we have two recipes that got bumped to this week. Good thing we are all happy with pasta and meat sauce whe [..] > read more

Baked Pumpkin Risotto plus a Giveaway!

Published on 2012-02-23 20:16:00

If you have a baby that loved all the purees you ever gave him and suddenly with the shift to chunkier textures he is super picky, then I feel your pain. My little guy is almost 13 months and we are in that funny time period where he won't let you feed him, he is struggling to grasp the idea of a spoon and he wants to try everything we eat. I'm all for sharing, but lately he is throwing more food off his high chair than eating it. Oh, and did I mention I'm trying to wean him from nursing? Le [..] > read more

February. Really?

Published on 2012-02-22 13:54:00

Only in New England. Snow in April wouldn't surprise me this year. Happy Ash Wednesday! > read more

Basque Fish Soup

Published on 2012-02-20 20:14:00

As Lent arrives this Wednesday, you may be in the market for a few more meatless meals. I was lucky to grab some fresh haddock at the Natick Winter Farmer's Market this weekend. Just in time for some Sunday soup. The Basque Fish Soup is super simple, delicious and healthy. This has been made by my family since I was little and I'm sure it will continue to be a tradition.Basque Fish SoupIngredients1 large onion chopped (1 cup)1/2 cup chopped celery, leaves are good too!1 large garlic clove, cru [..] > read more

Menu Plan Feb 19

Published on 2012-02-19 14:39:00

I found myself adding a lot of comfort foods to the menu this week. I'm planning to make some larger quantity meals that we can freeze for later as I feel like we have a busy couple of weeks ahead. Sunday- Sweet and Sour Chicken with Rice. This is a new recipe from the Delish menu planning service. Traditional flavoring of pineapple and soy sauce Monday- Beef Chili. Grass fed ground beef is on sale so I plan to stock up. I'll freeze a dinner's worth of the chili. I will be testing out making t [..] > read more

Weekend Reading: Feb 18

Published on 2012-02-18 09:47:00

It was a crazy week here with a stomach bug bouncing around and a sudden change in our summer plans. Here are some of the articles that took my mind off the reality facing me offline.Simple Kids~ Evening Prep for an Easier Morning~along the same lines as my Pin of the Week: BEDTIME routine chart.Boston Food Swap~ Swapping is for Lovers: February Swap Recap~my homemade granola got some love!Photo by Tara BellucciGood Cheap Eats~ Quick Salads for Busy Days~I've been needing some lunch inspiration [..] > read more

Questions to Ask Your Kid's Dentist

Published on 2012-02-17 08:40:00

This week was a big milestone for Madison. She went to the dentist for the first time. Big day! It was a great experience and she sat very still while they counted her ten teeth on top and ten teeth on bottom. Apparently she gets a gold star because there is good space between her teeth. No flossing yet!I learned a couple of things too at the visit that I thought would be interesting to share.When Madison was given a choice of flavorings for the cleaning part of the visit, I asked if they ha [..] > read more

Wool Dryer Ball Giveaway Winner

Published on 2012-02-16 04:30:00

Congrats to Tanya C. who wins a 3 pack of Wool Dryer Balls. Cheers to a laundry savings of no more dryer sheets! An email was sent to the winner. If I do not get a response back in 48 hours, a new winner will be chosen.If you didn't win and still interested in wool dryer balls, head on over the The Willow Store and check out their great assortment of colors (or natural) balls. I have found my drying time is trimmed by about 10 minutes for large loads and I love not buying expensive fragrance [..] > read more

My First Food Swap Event

Published on 2012-02-14 09:26:00

A little more than a month ago, I came across a tiny little blurb about the rising popularity of food swaps in Whole Living magazine. Food swaps started getting attention after they gained some traction in New York City last spring. It's really an old fashioned concept, yet feels new again in the era of social media that brings like-minded foodies together without major effort.On Sunday, I attended my first event, hosted by the Boston Food Swap. I love making granola and figured it may be wor [..] > read more

Menu Plan Monday-Valentine Edition

Published on 2012-02-13 06:51:00

Hello February. It's about 20 degrees and with some light snow falling. Yet it still feels like the winter that wasn't here in New England. Up this week is an easy weeknight dinner of Campanelle Pasta Salad with Tuna. (Giada DeLaurentiis)Tuesday is my husband's favorite chicken nuggets. Easy clean up so we have time to play Carcassonne together. Wed will be lasagna in the crock pot. I got homemade ricotta from the Boston Food Swap I attended yesterday. This will be a great recipe to use it all u [..] > read more

Red Beet Pancake Recipe

Published on 2012-02-12 20:44:00

A little red pancakes anyone? I had some leftover beets and needed to use them up since the kids were not into them plain. I found the Red Beet Pancake recipe from Weelicious and tested it out this weekend. Madison ate 3 hearts before we even got to sit down together. This recipe was a winner!Here is the recipe, with a few of my tweaks. I altered the flour ratio so there is a higher amount of whole wheat instead of white flour. I have found that most baked goods have a better end result whe [..] > read more

This Little Piggy Valentine

Published on 2012-02-11 17:00:00

There is nothing like doing craft projects with your kids. Enjoy imperfection. Let them be creative and see where the world takes them.I found this printable from Making Learning Fun. There is nothing better than finding a fun printable to fill those sometimes challenging pre-dinnertime hours. You can find more favorite printables gathered together on my Pinterest board.Happy Valentine's Day!I love to hear your feedback and comments. Stop by and visit the Facebook page or Twitter for updates [..] > read more

How to Make Chicken Stock in a Crock Pot or Pressure Cooker

Published on 2012-02-11 06:00:00

A wonderful way to save money is to make your own stock. Stock is made using the bones of the chicken (or marrow bones for beef). Broth is made from making an actual dish with the meat. In my humble opinion, the two words are essentially interchangeable. I got the gelatinous stock when making "broth" so I think as long as you are making something that helps you avoid having to buy the high sodium laden chicken broth/stock boxes from the store, go for it.In Part One of How to Cook a Whole Chic [..] > read more

How to Cook a Whole Chicken in a Crock Pot or Pressure Cooker

Published on 2012-02-10 07:23:00

If you never cooked a Whole Chicken before, now is a great time to test it out. Throughout the winter months, the pricing on whole chickens is always really low. I find it at least $3/lb less expensive than buying boneless chicken breast, plus you get the benefit of also making your own broth.This recipe is hearty, easy and makes the best batch of chicken stock without even trying. If you still have a little energy leftover, you can use the chicken scraps (skin, bones and neck) to make a secon [..] > read more

Alternatives to Valentine's Day Candy

Published on 2012-02-09 07:30:00

Guess what. Valentine's Day is next Tuesday. You may not make a big deal about it, but your kids classroom might. That means getting an updated class list, making sure you have enough Valentine's Day cards that work for the boys and the girls. Then you have to decide if you are going to give candy in a cute little gift bag. As I try to limit my kids exposure to the synthetic food dyes, I've tried to come up with a fun list of candy alternatives for the classroom. This list is geared to the [..] > read more

Mix it up with Meatloaf Muffins

Published on 2012-02-08 13:36:00

Does your meatloaf need a little wake-up call? I recently saw a few photos for cooking meatloaf in a muffin tin and gave it a try. If you remember from my Menu Plan Monday post this week, I mentioned being part of a recipe exchange with my playgroup peeps. Thanks to Aimee G., I got inspired to test out my own spin of Mini Meatloaf.Mini MeatloafMakes 12 muffinsIngredients1 lb Ground Beef (or Turkey)3 cups (1 bag) Broccoli Slaw7 Tbls Ketchup1 Tbl Worcestershire Sauce1/2 Cup Chopped Onion1 Egg1 [..] > read more

What's Eating Your Child?

Published on 2011-06-07 20:29:00

Ever since my daughter started eating solid food, I find myself reading more and more about nutrition. The latest on my bookshelf is What's Eating Your Child? This is not your everyday nutrition book, as it's written by a dietitian&nb > read more

What's Eating Your Child?

Published on 2011-06-07 20:29:00

Rice Sack Bags~ Perfect for a Picnic

Published on 2011-06-05 19:33:00

I just flipped through the latest Uncommon Goods catalog and want to add these beautiful rice sack bags to my wish list. They would be perfect for packing a picnic lunch to enjoy after playgroup days. The bags are made from salvaged mater > read more

Rice Sack Bags~ Perfect for a Picnic

Published on 2011-06-05 19:33:00

Time to clear out the clutter and make way for summer!

Published on 2011-05-27 12:52:00

The last thing I want to do when it's nice out is clean. Yet, it still needs to be done. What I have finally learned is that the less stuff we leave around, the faster it is to get the house in order. I have been motivated this > read more

Time to clear out the clutter and make way for summer!

Published on 2011-05-27 12:52:00

New Travel Prints from Envirosax

Published on 2011-05-23 07:21:00

I LOVE the Envirosax bags I stash for quick trips into town for errands. They just came out with a new travel series of prints, featuring New York, Sydney and Paris. I think I have to put the Paris bag on my wish list :) > read more

New Travel Prints from Envirosax

Published on 2011-05-23 07:21:00

Want to reduce plastic? Try Homemade Bread

Published on 2011-05-10 20:17:00

It can be done. I can make my own bread. Despite many "dense" loaves of whole wheat bread in my baking past, I made one last try. This one turn out successful! I found the recipe on Tammy's Recipes blog and tweaked it to be mo > read more

Want to reduce plastic? Try Homemade Bread

Published on 2011-05-10 20:17:00

The Laundry test continues with Seventh Generation's Paper bottle

Published on 2011-05-05 14:00:00

When I first heard about Seventh Generation's new 4x Concentrated Laundry detergent I was excited to test it out. If I could use even less detergent it would hopefully reduce the amount of time I have to buy detergent, and also cut down on the > read more

The Laundry test continues with Seventh Generation's Paper bottle

Published on 2011-05-05 14:00:00

Go Glass for Baby

Published on 2011-05-04 14:27:00

This year I am making a conscious effort to reduce the amount of plastic we use at home. This includes our food storage containers, plastic bags and even our new baby's toys. I didn't think about the baby's bottles until I learned abo > read more

Go Glass for Baby

Published on 2011-05-04 14:27:00

Lunch box makeover- plus a Giveaway

Published on 2011-04-21 13:45:00

As we celebrate Earth Day this week, I wanted to share some ways to clean up the lunch room in schools or at home. There are so many cute and practical products on the market now that make it easy. Or, here are a few tips that won't cost you any mone > read more

Lunch box makeover- plus a Giveaway

Published on 2011-04-21 13:45:00

Classic cut grass

Published on 2011-04-19 20:32:00

There are so many wonderful ways to celebrate Earth Day this week. I think it's important to understand even small changes can make a difference. Meatless Mondays, biking, and reusable bags all help lessen our carbon footprint. The latest eco change > read more

Classic cut grass

Published on 2011-04-19 20:32:00

Home management binder~Project Simplify week 5

Published on 2011-04-10 19:30:00

This was the last week of Simple Mom's Project Simplify. The "hot spot" for the week was my choice. I decided to finish dealing with some paper clutter still lingering from week 2.This was my folder of current paperwork that I needed to keep handy. I > read more

Home management binder~Project Simplify week 5

Published on 2011-04-10 19:30:00

Project simplify~ Kitchen challenges

Published on 2011-04-01 21:30:00

I thought this would be easy. I'm always in my kitchen so I figured I would be able to declutter my problem spots throughout the week for Hot Spot #4 in Project Simplify. No such luck. Two cabinets were cleaned out, but I still need to conquer the b > read more

The rise of the Tote Bag

Published on 2011-03-30 08:42:00

Have you noticed how many people are walking around with tote bags these days? They are used for groceries, trips to the drugstore, and always at the beach. As more cities and towns work to ban plastic bags, tote bags have become so > read more

Project Simplify wk 3- Toy Clutter be gone

Published on 2011-03-26 19:31:00

In week 3 of Project Simplify I worked on organizing the toy area of our basement. In the before shot, you can see the havoc a two year can cause with kitchen accessories and blocks.We don't have a great system for all the many play things, as seen i > read more

Project Simplify week 2: Attack the Paper Clutter

Published on 2011-03-20 21:01:00

Our "mail table" is the catch-all in our house. Despite our best efforts to recycle daily all the junk mail and catalogs, the pile keeps coming back. The mission to tackle the Paper Clutter in the house in week 2 of Project Simplify was g > read more

Could you be a Radical Homemaker?

Published on 2011-03-15 10:50:00

I was intrigued when I read the title of Shannon Hayes book, Radical Homemakers: Reclaiming Domesticity from a Consumer Culture. In a time of downsizing and working with what you have, I thought I could learn a thing or two from some hard > read more

One week, one wardrobe and an infant

Published on 2011-03-11 16:01:00

On Monday, I was excited to check Simple Mom's site to find out where Project Simplify was going to start. The starting point is our Wardrobe, which is quite a challenge for me at the moment. My closet is a cluster of pre-baby, maternity, > read more

Project Simplify

Published on 2011-03-08 13:25:00

I'm really going to do it this time. I make an attempt every couple of months, but now it's crunch time. I'm talking about cutting down on the clutter in my home and the overwhelming amount of stuff that needs to be cleared out. I'm > read more

The Eco Friendly Laundry Challenge

Published on 2011-03-07 08:46:00

Have you noticed how many more cleaning products are featuring "green" claims or promoting their "natural" qualities? Buyer beware, products that call themselves "natural" doesn't mean anything. It's not a regulated term so pay attention > read more

Published on 2011-02-26 12:11:00

When was the last time you read a published book that was handwritten? Maybe never. In Make your Place by Raleigh Briggs, she handwrites and illustrates how to simply take care of your home, your body, and your ailments. Here's a quote to give you a > read more

Save Organic foods!

Published on 2011-02-02 12:04:00

Scary things are happening in the political food world. GMO seed giant Monsanto is close to approval of GMO alfalfa. Approving GMO alfalfa will potentially destroy the integrity of and access to organic food, as well as the livelihoods of organ > read more

Save Organic foods!

Published on 2011-02-02 12:04:00

Scary things are happening in the political food world. GMO seed giant Monsanto is close to approval ofGMO alfalfa. Approving GMO alfalfa will potentially destroy the integrity of and access to organic food, as well as the livelihoods of organi > read more

Off the Grid giveaway

Published on 2011-01-23 13:30:00

I really find it hard to believe that there are families in America that still do not have electricity. More surprising, they want it that way. In Nick Rosen's book Off the Grid, he meets many of these men and women who share a common goal of taking > read more

Off the Grid giveaway

Published on 2011-01-23 13:30:00

Iphone covers made from plants

Published on 2011-01-05 13:17:00

I do love my Iphone and now I get to love my new Ipad, thanks to my wonderful husband. While I consider myself "green", I am also a modern mom who loves the latest in technology. Partly driven by a need to be more efficient as a working mom, an > read more

Iphone covers made from plants

Published on 2011-01-05 13:17:00

End of season lights to recycle

Published on 2011-01-02 07:13:00

Did you find a couple of bad strands of lights when you unpacked the Christmas lights? Or maybe, like me, you have a strand with duct tape that is due to be retired.We are going to send our lights to the HolidayLEDs.com site's recycling center.Here i > read more

End of season lights to recycle

Published on 2011-01-02 07:13:00

Must Have for Mommy & me class

Published on 2010-12-27 21:04:00

If you are having a baby during the height of cold and flu season, listen up. The Oshi mat is your new best friend. I'm expecting my second child in February and hope to make it to a Mommy and baby class during my maternity leave. I loved this experi > read more

Must Have for Mommy & me class

Published on 2010-12-27 21:04:00

Brown paper never looked so good

Published on 2010-12-22 20:16:00

I can only wish my brown paper packages could look so sweet. I love this picture from the Oh My Handmade blog, they have a great post about how to spruce up your basic brown paper as you finish wrapping gifts this week. I love the idea of > read more

Brown paper never looked so good

Published on 2010-12-22 20:16:00

From Plastic Bag to Bib?

Published on 2010-12-13 20:25:00

Could it be true? Could plastic bags have a new life as a bib? No two are alike...the possibilities are (sadly) endless. These bibs are made by Urban Infant and available via select retailers. Each bib is made from post-consumer fus > read more

From Plastic Bag to Bib?

Published on 2010-12-13 20:25:00

Could it be true? Could plastic bags have a new life as a bib?No two are alike...the possibilities are (sadly) endless. These bibs are made by Urban Infant and available via select retailers. Each bib is made from post-consumer fuse > read more

Real or Fake?

Published on 2010-12-08 09:42:00

We are getting our Christmas tree this week and I can't wait for how wonderful it makes the house smell. I know there is a lot of conversations about the eco-friendliness of a real tree vs an artificial tree. I remember some stats from my > read more

Real or Fake?

Published on 2010-12-08 09:42:00

Love this packaging idea for the Holidays

Published on 2010-12-03 11:43:00

I can't say enough how much I LOVE this picture of presents using three simple ingredients: newspapers red and white baker's twine beautiful tags (shown are from Joyful Joyful) I have already ordered a large amount of Baker's twine (3,360-Yar > read more

Love this packaging idea for the Holidays

Published on 2010-12-03 11:43:00

I can't say enough how much I LOVE this picture of presents using three simple ingredients:newspapersred and white baker's twinebeautiful tags (shown are from Joyful Joyful)I have already ordered a large amount of Baker's twine (3,360-Yards 4-P > read more

My very first homemade remedy~ Elderberry Syrup

Published on 2010-12-01 20:45:00

I finally did it, I made my own natural remedy. During the fall season our family stayed pretty healthy, until the beginning of November. Then the nasty colds started, and the little one caught a stomach bug. After I got a taste of > read more

My very first homemade remedy~ Elderberry Syrup

Published on 2010-12-01 20:45:00

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